Joining the inspired White Elephant collection of landmark properties in Nantucket and Palm Beach, the 54-key hotel, White Elephant Aspen, gave Boston-based architectural firm EMBARC carte blanche to inject a dose of modernity into Aspen’s prevailingly Victorian-inspired aesthetic. The resulting Alpine-chic concept exudes a similar boutique sensibility to the collection’s other five properties while also beautifully showcasing Aspen’s cultural and artistic legacy.
The contemporary interiors are stylish and destination-specific, as seen in the rich colour palette of rust, warm whites and deep charcoals, paired with smooth leather, wood and stone textures. Brand accents like a brass elephant trunk serving as the lobby desk and elephant knockers on guest room doors add playful touches.
A highlight is White Elephant Aspen’s focus on art: common spaces and guest rooms will showcase more than 125 original works, curated by art advisor Emily Santangelo, who has worked with White Elephant since 2017. Self-guided art tours will take guests on a journey through the collection, which spans landscapes by artist Alex Katz and paintings by Robert Peterson, as well as special commissions by Orit Fuchs (whose Pop Art-inspired ‘Lady of the House’ so memorably presides over the lobby of the White Elephant Palm Beach) and young British wunderkind Doodle Boy. A focal point in the lobby will be the rotating photography of Maroon Bells by famed shutterbug Bob Tabor.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Hotel Designs.
